The consensus at present is that GWA findings provide important clues to disease etiology and pathways to treatment, but current information is far too preliminary to recommend their use inprevention or treatment recommendations. Use of GWA findings in screening for disease risk, though beginning to be marketed commercially, is problematic. Although getting the latest “gene test” may be alluring, evidence is needed that such screening adds information to known risk factors (such as age, smoking, obesity, and family history), that effective interventions are available, that improved outcomes justify the associated costs, and that obtaining this information does not have serious adverse consequences for patients and their families.
